Progress report for
Marae Moana (Cook Islands Marine Park)
Achievement at a glance
Marae Moana Act 2017 was passed by Parliament in July 2017 establishing Marae Moana over the entire Cook Islands EEZ. The Act has the following purposes: (1) The primary purpose of this Act is to protect and conserve the ecological, biodiversity, and heritage values of the Cook Islands marine environment.<br>(2) The other purposes of this Act are to do the following, consistently with the primary purpose,
<br>(a) provide an integrated decision-making and management framework to coordinate the work of relevant agencies so as to effectively balance marine conservation with ecologically sustainable use of the marine environment and resources:
<br>(b) allow ecologically sustainable use of the marine environment, including for
<br>(i) public enjoyment and appreciation:
<br>(ii) public education about, and understanding of, the marae moana:
<br>(iii) economic, recreational, and cultural activities:
<br>(iv) research relating to its natural, social, economic, and cultural systems and values:
<br>(c) encourage engagement in the protection and management of the marine environment by interested persons and groups, including the Government of the Cook Islands and Island Governments, communities, the House of Ariki, the Koutu Nui, business, and industry:
<br>(d) assist in meeting the Cook Islands international responsibilities, in particular its responsibilities under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the Convention on the Conservation of Biological Diversity, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
<br>(3) In order to achieve its purposes, this Act
<br>(a) provides for the establishment, control, care, and development of the marae moana:
<br>(b) establishes the Marae Moana Council:
<br>(c) provides principles of ecologically sustainable use to guide the development and management of the Marae Moana:
<br>(d) provides for a system of marine spatial planning, including zoning plans and management measures for marine-based activities:
<br>(e) facilitates collaborative partnerships between relevant Cook Islands Government agencies, Island Governments, the House of Ariki, the Koutu Nui, non-government, and private sector organisations.
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